Behavioral Economics Today Podcast

In the latest episode of Behavioral Economics Today Podcast, Hugh Massie had the privilege of speaking with Frank Corrado, Founder & CEO of Pivot Point, about why behavior should be viewed as the foundation of the entire advisory system.This conversation goes beyond theory and explores what happens when organizations design for real human behavior rather than assumptions.Key topics discussed include:• Why financial behavior is hardwired and most visible under stress• The gap between “knowing the client” and designing for real behavior• The concept of a Behavioral Operating Layer (BOL)• Why humanization, not personalization, is the futureOne of the most powerful insights from the episode:“Understanding does not lead to action. Design does.”If you are in leadership, financial services, coaching, or any field where decisions matter, this episode offers valuable insights into how behavior shapes outcomes.Tune in now and discover why the future of advisory systems starts with understanding human behavior.#Podcast #BehavioralEconomics #Leadership #FinancialServices #HumanBehavior #DNABehavior #HughMassie #PivotPoint #FrankCorrado

In the latest episode of Behavioral Economics Today, Hugh Massie had a conversation with Jeff Morris, creator of the TrustFlow™ Method, about how trust impacts team performance.They explore:• Micro-Trust Activations™• The 12 Cs of TrustFlow™• NeuroTrust and behavioral flow• How trust reduces friction and increases performance velocityIf trust lowers transaction costs, building it intentionally may be one of the highest ROI leadership investments.

In this podcast episode, Hugh Massei interviews C. Thomas Howard, CEO of Athena Invest, about his book Behavioral Portfolio Management, a thought-provoking challenge to traditional investment thinking.They explore why investors don’t actually experience risk as market volatility, but rather as loss, fear, and regret, and how portfolios designed without considering real human behavior often fail at the worst possible moments.Hugh and Tom also examine the limitations of Modern Portfolio Theory, the behavioral flaws of traditional risk tolerance questionnaires, and how goals-based investing provides a more practical framework for long-term success. They highlight the crucial role financial advisors play in helping investors stay disciplined and committed during periods of market turbulence.This episode is essential listening for financial advisors, investors, and institutional leaders who want portfolios designed for how people actually behave, not how theory assumes they should.

In this episode, Hugh Massie interviews Soraya Catoja and Ann-Kathrin Crede from Allianz to discuss how behavioral economics is transforming insurance and business decision-making. They share how Allianz built its behavioral insights unit and uses evidence-based strategies—such as simplifying communication and redesigning customer experiences—to drive measurable results, including increased digital adoption and strong business returns.They also explain how behavioral testing often challenges traditional assumptions, showing that more information or incentives do not always improve outcomes. The discussion highlights how leadership training, AI adoption, and digital transformation can benefit from behavioral science, emphasizing that successful innovation depends on aligning solutions with real human behavior.

In this episode, Hugh Massie speaks with Chiara Cappellini, Principal Behavioral Scientist at the Behavioral Science Group, and co-author of "A New Tool for Behavioral Scientists" in the Behavioral Economics Guide 2025.The Behavioral Science Group (BSG) is a specialist unit housed within the UAE’s Office of Development Affairs (ODA), mandated to use behavioral science to deliver positive social impact in the UAE and beyond.Chiara shares BSG’s research on using AI-generated synthetic participants—virtual models informed by demographic data—to help researchers test ideas and anticipate attitudes and behaviors. They discuss how this approach could make policy testing, public opinion research, and experimental design more inclusive, efficient, and timely, while also addressing where human studies remain essential and the ethical questions teams should consider.

In this episode of Behavioral Economics Today, Hugh Massie sits down with Akinyi Odera and Ariam Hailemariam from ThinkPlace Africa to explore how behavioral science, human-centered design, and data innovation are transforming Ethiopia’s healthcare system.Drawing from their groundbreaking work on the Integrated Ideation Model, they discuss the cognitive, social, and emotional barriers behind data quality challenges and how solutions like the DataStars recognition model and the EYTA digital chatbot are reshaping motivation, leadership behavior, and real-time data use.Together, they unpack what it takes to build a true data-use culture, the role of intentional leadership, and how these insights can drive organizational transformation far beyond healthcare.

In this conversation, Juan De Rus discusses the evolution of understanding customer behavior through data insights. He highlights the limitations of traditional surveys and the need for incorporating unstructured information and behavioral insights to gain a deeper understanding of customer satisfaction and attitudes.

In this podcast episode, Hugh Massie and Joel Franks explore the intersection of behavioral economics and technology, with a focus on behavioral personalization.They discuss how understanding human behavior can enhance marketing strategies, strengthen client relationships, and transform business operations.The conversation highlights the importance of emotional engagement, the limitations of traditional demographic-based marketing, and the potential of AI to create more meaningful connections with clients.They also address the challenges of data readiness and the need to incorporate behavioral insights into communication strategies.The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future of AI and behavioral personalization in business.

The Behavioral Economics Podcast is live! In Episode 1, I sit down with Alain Samson, Chief Behavioral Scientist of DNA Behavior, to explore how behavioral economics is transforming the way we understand data, decisions, and human behavior.